Thursday, June 18, 2009

Throwback Thursdays: Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop (That Thing) (1998)


I don't know how many of you realize this, but this album not only won five (5) Grammy awards, it also went diamond, selling over 19 million copies worldwide. Needless to say, this is probably one of the most classic albums of our generation.

Classic album, classic song, classic video. The whole split-screen contrast between 1967 and 1998 is genius, too. Lauryn Hill is was such a dope artist. It's really a shame that she went crazy. But no matter what you do, people, don't compare all of us Jamaicans to this guy. It's not our fault, dammit.

You know, this song is really deep when you break it down. Although Ms. Hill never explicitly explains what "that thing" is, the lyrical implication is that men and both women both use the other sex to acquire what they want out of said relationship, whether it be sex, security or something else.

Does that mean that everyone's just selfish? Of course that's what it means, you idiots. Maybe that's why she didn't need to specify. At the end of the day, we're all just a bunch of pigs looking for "that thing"... *end of rant*.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Ummmm I dont think I follow your logic ...

So women use men to get sex, security (and other things) when they are in relationships? (And vice versa, of course.) I mean isn't that the crux of what it means to BE in a relationship ... to have things that come thru companionship (both material and otherwise)?

How is that being selfish again? Cos I mean, relationship is give and take, no?

"That thing" Ms. Hill refers to is the goodies, the cookie, the good-done-debbies, if you will ... so YEAH not just anybody should be allowed to taste, if you will ;)

Mr. First said...

By "relationship", you're assuming I meant "committed relationship." I can have a relationship with you without you being my girlfriend...

Johnnie Walker said...

I actually think "that thing" from the female perspective could stand for loot. Like some women use guys for their money, the same way guys use women for sex.

And I've asked this before, is the word verification necessary? it's a minor inconvenience, but an inconvenience nonetheless.